Through a statement published on its social media channels, Poland’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that it is close to receiving two new F-35A stealth fighters produced by Lockheed Martin. These aircraft will soon be sent to the paint shop to receive the Polish Air Force scheme and markings as part of the final stage of the manufacturing process. Specifically, the jets are identified as 3509 (AZ-09) and 3510 (AZ-10), the first aircraft the service plans to send directly to Polish territory before the end of this year.
In this regard, it is worth noting that the contract signed by Warsaw предусматриía that up to eight F-35A “Husarz” aircraft (named in honor of the famous Polish cavalry unit) would initially remain in the United States to facilitate the training of future pilots alongside allied forces. In practical terms, this means aircraft numbered 3501 through 3508 will remain based in the U.S. until the third quarter of 2027, providing sufficient time to accumulate significant operational experience.
As of last November, the Polish Air Force already had seven of these initial stealth fighters available in the United States, reflecting the progress made by the manufacturer in meeting its delivery schedule. As previously reported, the aircraft have already taken part in training activities at Eglin Air Force Base and Ebbing Air National Guard Base, where both pilots and maintenance personnel train alongside U.S. Air Force units in a demanding operational and technological environment.
Looking beyond this first group of aircraft, the Polish Air Force plans to build a fleet totaling 32 F-35A fighters, made possible by the agreement reached in 2020 with an investment of USD 4.6 billion. Under the terms set out at the time, Poland was expected to receive its first aircraft in 2024, while delivery of the full order is scheduled to be completed by 2029. Once that occurs, the model is expected to replace Poland’s aging MiG-29 and Su-22 fleets—the latter already retired after more than 40 years of service.
Finally, it is important to highlight that Poland has not only advanced in the purchase and induction of these modern fighters, but also in acquiring weapons packages to equip them. As an illustrative example, Poland’s purchase of a new batch of AIM-120D-3 missiles is valued at around USD 500 million. This is the newest variant in the AIM-120 family, featuring an updated navigation system and improved aircraft-missile datalink, as well as greater range compared to its predecessors.
*Image credits: @MON_GOV_PL on X
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